Iloilo City MICE mktg plan gains traction

ILOILO CITY’S tourism stakeholders and local executives continue to support the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) Iloilo City MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) Marketing Plan to ensure that the city is ready to become the top convention destination in the Philippines.

The Iloilo City MICE Alliance recently had its 3^rd Core Group Meeting with DOT Undersecretary Arturo P. Boncato, Jr., DOT Assistant Secretary Maria Rica C. Bueno, DOT-6 Regional Director Atty. Helen J. Catalbas and newly-appointed Iloilo City Executive Assistant for MICE Salvador Sarabia in attendance.

The stakeholders presented some of the incentives they are willing to offer for organizers planning to hold their meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) in Iloilo City.

DOT accredited accommodation, food/restaurant and transport sectors, Philippine Airlines, SM Malls, Robinsons Malls and Iloilo Convention Center are among those that offered MICE discounts.

“This only goes to show the willingness of the tourism stakeholders and the LGU (local government unit) to promote more vigorously MICE in Iloilo City. This MICE Marketing Plan will not be on track without the support and cooperation from our partners. No other will benefit from this but our tourism stakeholders,” Director Catalbas said.

MICE trainings will be conducted for each sector to make sure frontliners of the different sectors are equipped with knowledge and skills to strengthen and develop MICE incentives and strategies to market Iloilo City as a MICE destination.

ASec. Maria Rica C. Bueno said DOT will negotiate with industry experts such as Philippine Association of Conventions, Exhibitions Organizers and Suppliers Inc. (PACEOS) and Philippine MICE Academy to conduct the said trainings.

Iloilo MICE Alliance conducts a monthly meeting to update the status of the deliverables of each sector. Newly elected and re-elected local chief executives are scheduled to have a briefing on the Iloilo City MICE Marketing Plan to solicit their support for the success of the Iloilo MICE Marketing Plan implementation.

Iloilo MICE Campaign will be launched in October 2019.